Oklahoma City Thunder notebook: Serge Ibaka now first among block leaders

Minnesota Timberwolves' Nikola Pekovic, right, of Montenegro, passes the ball under Oklahoma City Thunder's Serge Ibaka, of Congo, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) ORG XMIT: MNJM104

The second-year player from Spain averaged 8.4 points and seven assists on 34 percent shooting in his first 30 games this season. But in 15 March games before Friday's, Rubio was averaging 13.3 points. 7.8 assists and 2.6 steals while shooting 41.1 percent.

“You can just tell his confidence level is high,” Brooks said. “He just has an uncanny way of getting around players, scoring around the basket and making easier shots for his team. He's going to be a very, very good point guard for a lot of years. He just has that contagious, winning attitude that guys seem to be attracted to.”

Rubio finished with 17 points, seven assists and four steals in 30 minutes against the Thunder.

TIP-INS

Derek Fisher snapped a streak of missed shots Friday night when he made a 3-pointer with 10:39 remaining in the second quarter. It was his second shot of the game. His first attempt, a miss, put his streak of misses at 10 straight. … Ibaka was called for a technical foul with 8.1 seconds remaining in the second quarter. … Kendrick Perkins fouled out of the game with 4:25 remaining. It was only the second time this season that he's fouled out of a game. The other game was Jan. 20 at Denver.

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by Darnell Mayberry

OKC Thunder Senior Reporter

Darnell Mayberry grew up in Langston, Okla. and is now in his third stint in the Sooner state. After a year and a half at Bishop McGuinness High, he finished his prep years in Falls Church, Va., before graduating from Norfolk State University in...